A man has been jailed for 16 years for his part in a plot to smuggle more than £150 million of cocaine into the UK.

Stephen Powell, 48, of Netherfield Drive, Guiseley, was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine following the seizure of around a tonne of the drug on board the yacht Makayabella in an international operation involving the Irish Naval Service and the National Crime Agency.

Powell, who appeared at Leeds Crown Court by video-link from prison today, handed himself in to police in September this year.

He pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier hearing.

Powell's father, John Powell, 70, of Airedale Mews, Silsden, Benjamin Mellor, 35, of Mornington Villas, Manningham, Bradford, and Thomas Britteon, 28, of Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, were also charged by the Garda Siochana in Ireland with possessing cocaine with intent to import after they were detained on board the yacht.

They have appeared at Cork District Court in Ireland.

The luxury yacht was found in September in poor condition in the Atlantic Ocean, 200 miles (322km) off the south-west coast of Ireland, while investigators also seized a 25ft (7.6m) motor boat called Sea Breeze, moored in Pwllheli, North Wales.